AIBU to object to a neighbour growing ivy on our fence?

Nuke the site from orbit, tis the only way to be sure.

Gosh I must live on another planet. I think using a harmful pesticide just because a few sprigs of ivy poke through a fence, is completely unhinged!

Paint the bits poking through, with weedkiller. Then be very surprised when it dies...

I really don't get how people can think ivy growing along with other plants is 'such a mess'. Plants in the wild don't grow neatly separated and spaced apart.
If you're worried about your roses, just keep an eye on it and cut it back when you need to. Although TBH it sounds like you can't bear to see even a tiny hint of it between the fence slats, which is a bit odd.

I love ivy and have planted a fair bit in my garden. Don’t get the hate for it but as it’s your fence they need to be more careful with planting options.

I love ivy, I didn’t realise it was so hated! I know it can be invasive (like many things) so I make sure to control mine religiously. My neighbours own the fence so I created a dead hedge a foot away from it so I have my own barrier as their fence is ugly and getting on a bit. Virginia creepers are a non-damaging alternative but aren’t evergreen. Maybe they could try jasmine or put the ivy in pots? It sounds like they’re pretty inconsiderate twats.

I had a neighbour drill into my concrete fence posts to put a bamboo fence (while I was away for the week, without permission) of their own up on their own side, that left holes that water gets into, freezes and expands and over time cracks and breaks the fence posts. Absolutely do not let them attach anything to the fence. They have show what kind of people they are, do not give them an inch.

kind of...the actual rule is that you have to offer and they can say yes or no,

have they attached the trellis to your fence? Beacause if so you have a bargaining point. You allow the trellis and in return they control their ivy

Great! Do it with your own fence 👍🏻

the neighbours could hace put up their own fence to block the gaps

You are likely correct, just re-growth

A systemic weed killer needs to be applied to the leaves, maybe a bit of weed killer over the fence in the dead of the night. I did that when a house behind ours was empty and the 'garden' went crazy encroaching on out garden in a big way.

Can't believe all of these posts recommending glyphosate weedkiller. The OP has a 4 year old who plays in the garden FFS. Somebody further up posted the official Royal Horticultural Society advice of applying anti graffiti paint or attaching copper or zinc sheets to the fence to stop the ivy attaching.

The real issue is that the neighbours can't attach anything to the fence because it doesn't belong to them, so the OP is within her rights to tell them to remove the trellis the ivy is growing on if it's actually attached to the fence.If the trellis is freestanding and the ivy is just moving onto her fence she can pull it off and apply the paint to stop it coming back.

If you cover your fence with plants you won’t notice. Maybe if they had given the ball back you wouldn’t mind so much. Which is understandable. You’re going to have to bite the bullet and talk to them. And if they don’t listen you’re entitled to take matters into your own hands (cutting, not poisoning!) A pile of ivy cuttings in their garden will probably get their attention.

Damaging to fence could be considered property damage according to the link, not painting or placing things on it- actually damaging it ie it falls down or splits.

but again what different does it make? It could result in legal action- who is going to spend thousands suing their neighbour to get a trellis taken off a fence?

This looks fine to me. If this is your actual garden I’d paint the fence and plant along the border, maybe even grow some climbers which will blend with the ivy. In a few years you won’t be able to see the ugly fence.

The ivy can pull the fence down as others have said.

A relative had this with her neighbour. Cheeky fucker had the gall to come over and claim the fence panel was collapsing the first time it happened and could my relative replace it as it was her responsibility!

After the second fence in ten years was torn down/pulled apart by the ivy, my relatives solicitor got involved. Relative made it clear that they would not be replacing any more fence panels (and you can't replace fence panels if it doesn't belong to you without explicit permission) that were torn down as a result of the ivy. Neighbour had two toddlers and a dog so after a few weeks of huffing and puffing with a huge gap in the fence...they conceded. It ended up with the neighbour getting someone in to dig the ivy out as best they could and agreement that they would keep the ivy away from the fencing.

Cost a fortune in solicitor fees. Cheaper than replacing the fence for a third time though.

Have you not read it’s illegal to do that?

No, but if you have a horrible neighbour, they just might!

Spray weed killer

I think some people on here just don't like plants ... or, god forbid, insects or birds ...

This thread is also full of alarmist nonsense. If it's a good-quality treated timber fence, it will support any climber as long as it's not left to overrun things.

@HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM - trim it back now & paint your fence. The ivy will grow back through, but just let it do so. It'll eventually grow up your side of the fence anyway. Add climbers to your side too - they look beautiful & support wildlife. You can even add a large-flowered clematis where the ivy is, as the two will intertwine.

Ivy is self-clinging, but twiners like honeysuckle & clematis need wires attached to the fence. As do climbing roses. Embrace it!!!